Pieris cultivars avoid lace bugs

The Ericaceous plant Pieris is a popular ornamental used in landscape or foundation plantings, shrub borders or for incorporating with other evergreens. Plants are prized for their glossy green leaves, clusters of red, pink or white urn-shaped flowers, and the striking colors displayed by new leaves. Lace bugs cause the most visible damage to Pieris. UGA entomologists evaluated more than 60 Pieris taxa for their susceptibility to Andromeda and azalea lace bugs in multiple studies. Mechanisms conferring resistance were also investigated. P. phillyreifolia and P. japonica 'Variegata' were consistently resistant to both species of lace bugs while P. japonica 'Cavatine' was consistently susceptible to both. P. japonica 'Temple Bells' and was notable in being highly susceptible to Andromeda lace bug, but resistant to azalea lace bug. Finding cultivars that resist common pests reduces management requirements and unnecessary pesticide use.